Help with first Barbel and Specimen Chub

[roundhead1642]

Hi there new member this year and new to forums

Looking for some pointers to try and turn round a (so far) disappointing season.

I am relatively new to river fishing after mostly fishing canals and ponds as a teenager . I got back in to fishing about 3 years ago and it has been a steep learning curve (a lot has changed in 25 years).
I have had some good seasons the last two years with Trout and Grayling on the fly, good Carp and Bream on lakes and Pike on lures.
I have set myself a target this year of my first Barbel and a 3lb plus river Chub.
So far I haven't succeeded.
I have had sessions on The Aire, Wharfe, The Nidd, The Ouse and Swale but so far I have blanked on my visits.

Now one or two blanks is to be expected and is not disastrous as just being on the river bank is nice. However I am now thinking that I am missing something.

I usually get up early and fish from dawn through to midday, I target cover and overhanging trees usually fire in hemp and then use a feeder with groundbait hemp and pellet and pellet or meat on the hook.

This has not worked so now I prostrate myself before you and beg the font of eternal wisdom that is the internet forum for guidance.

[zippy]

I am by no means qualified to give advice on this subject as I don't get the results of most however from my experiences this season I give you my opinion.
I would start with reducing the amount of feed going in to start and consider ditching the ground bait feeder for a bomb with very few free offerings of pellet or meat fed by hand or small pva stocking. be mobile. I have found particles, hemp caster maggot to be more successful in low conditions but not a cheap way. Moving baits seem to temp the wary fish in low clear conditions, search through the recent threads rushy has posted regarding float fished meat.
Also be patient, don't be too quick to recast, especially wlth the feeder, there will be so much bait in the swim the chance of your bait getting picked up is greatly reduced. The fish stocks are not at the levels of big rivers such as Wye and Trent so my advice is start with little to none, add if required and be prepared to move on. The fish might not be there!
What stretches are you fishing?
The nidd at moor monkton, hammerton hold plenty, swale at topcliffe, asenby alike. But these get hammered due to ease of access and previous successes. Youtube charlyfarly2.

The rivers have been in desperate need of rain, the majority of my fish coming out late on from tight under the cover. The rain that arrived over the weekend still hasn't been sufficient enough to give the swale the flush it needs. The nidd, wharfie and aire probably have.

[johnboy66]

one thing to add to that is you fish dawn to midday try fishing from midday to dusk, something I don't do enough myself.

even I`ve gone back to basics I think straight on simple is the key I also have gone back to my old timer bait the lobworm.

no dout the main man that will put you onto fish is Dave Rushy he talks the talk and walks the walks or and catches fish LOL

just keep at it mate you`ll get there in the end.

[ronnie]

pm in your box pal

[rushy]

Johnboy are you trying to make me blush

Thanks for the compliments mate but I must confess that just about everything I know about Barbel fishing has been gleaned from members of this forum and I won't embarrass them by mentioning names but theres 2 or 3 guys in particular and they know who they are

Also theres a lot of VERY GOOD SERIOUS Barbel anglers out there who would rather not share their knowledge or post about their catches which I understand. Some of us like to actively participate on our forum .... some would rather just read whats going on.

To me its just an enjoyable day out and if it's a four pound fish or an eight pound fish I'm just as pleased - either fight still makes the heart beat in your mouth

I'm still a relative novice myself and still learning on every outing. I learned last night at 9.45pm that if you get a fish on in flood water and it takes you into an overhanging willow ten foot out , it is probably not a good idea to try and wade out in the pitch black , in your wellies to get it out. You'll probably end up in the pub half an hour later having a pint and bag of crisps with people looking at you as you squelch your way from the bar

Tight lines

Rushy

[kpkh]

Some good advice on here Roundhead.
My aproach would be to find nice looking spots with flow about walking pace down the inside and with at least a foot and half of depth. Preferably with some cover downstream. Bait with some hemp and a few pellets then leave for half an hour. Feed a few more pellets Then lower your rig in, 10lb line, running bomb and 3ft hooklength. 2 small pellets glued on a hair rig. Try to make as little disturbance as possible. Be confident, when it goes round you'll know about it

[kpkh]

Is it possible for you to go fishing without getting your feet wet Rushy

[rushy]

Aug 13, 2014 20:58:45 GMT kpkh said:

Is it possible for you to go fishing without getting your feet wet Rushy

I'm beginning to doubt it Karl

[roundhead1642]

Wow. Thanks guys. Some sound advice here and some nice pm support as well. Will be trying to implement it this weekend so will report back. Of course if I still don't catch I can now blame you lot rather than myself